Emmanuelle Roux

2003-04 Inbound from France

Date of Birth: September 4, 1986
Hometown: Millau, France
Sponsor: Millau Rotary Club, District 1740, France

Host: West Jacksonville Rotary Club, District 6970, Florida USA
School: Paxon School for Advanced Studies

September 7 Journal - "Most important: I have made a lot of friends.  And I love speaking with my new friends in English."

Emma's Bio

My name is Emmanuelle, I come from France. I live in the south of France with my parents. I'm very close with my mother and my father. I have one half-sister who is 30. She has a little boy, and now she is pregnant. I'm sixteen and I'm going to be seventeen on 4 September. 

So, I came here since I want to improve my English, know a new way of life, and meet new friends. I really like to go to school in the United States. We have a lot of fun in the high school. In France, I practiced dance, but I stopped here. In the school, I'm taking journalism and chorus. So, my goal is to have a lot of friends in the United States and to become a "real American girl" for one year. It's a wonderful experience.

Arrival in Jacksonville

September 7 Journal

Hey!!!!!

I'm Emmanuelle but here all people call me "Emma" as they find it's too difficult to say "Emmanuelle". 

I have been here in the United States (in Jacksonville) for 6 weeks and I already feel like an American. I'm living with a wonderful host family. They have a daughter, Stephanie, who is 16. I have a very good relationship with them. I really feel like their home is mine too. 

Also I attend Paxon, a high school for advanced studies. The first day of school was difficult since I didn't understand what the teacher said, I was very tired, and I realized that I was not in Florida for 3 weeks like my last visit to Los Angeles 2 years ago, but really for one year. After the first week of school, everything was better. I improved my English every day (but it is still hard). Most important: I have made a lot of friends. American people are very open and welcoming. And I love speaking with my new friends in English. There are really friendly and nice with me.

The life in United States is more tiring than in France. I do a lot of things here (beach, swimming pool, movie...). I am not homesick for my parents and my friends for the moment because I have really wonderful people around me. Sometimes it's a little difficult after school as I realize that there are a lot of words that I don't understand in English but it's ok.

I have met the other exchange students who come from all over the world. They are really nice and when we are together, it's fantastic.

This week, it was my 17th birthday. The day before my birthday, I went to an Italian restaurant with my family and I opened my presents. This weekend, Luise, Teresa, Jane and Anna came to my home because my family organized a sleepover for my birthday. We had a "girls night" (putting on a masque, straightening hair, painting toenails, watching movies, talking, and eating).

Saturday evening, I went to a sport bar with Rob Overly, Stefan and my host family. We had a good time, I learnt to play billiards thanks to Stefan. And rob gave me a T-shirt of the FSU Seminoles, the team which he supports.

I don't just learn more about the United States but also about all the countries where the other students come from.

Emma

(Pictures of Emma's birthday weekend - click to enlarge)

November 11 Journal

Hello guys!!

I can't believe that I am here for 4 months now. The time goes so fast here. I have so many things to say that I don't even know how I can begin. I'm going to tell you everything chronologically. 

At the beginning of September, the 12th exactly, thanks to the fact that I didn't have school, I went to St Augustine with my host mother, Rose. I really like this town...it reminded me of Europe with the little streets, the small shops and the small restaurants. I had a great time there!! The weekend after, I went to see a movie called "The fighting temptations" with my friends (Jaclyn and her best friend).. 

The first weekend of October, I went to see a movie again, but with different people... (3 boys ! : Jeremy, Austin and Philip).. I had a good time with them . 

October was a great month because I had the luck to meet the friend of my host sister, Lalaine who is the girl who played Miranda in "Lizzie McGuire" series. Now she is also a singer. We went to Disney World, Thursday (the 9th) for the opening of the new attraction "Mission Space"... Lalaine invited us. 

A lot of famous people were there. That evening, we hung out with Lalaine and the band "Jump 5". We went to the performance of "SugarRay" and then we went to fireworks. Later, we went to a club in Disney (it was the first time that I went in a club in the United States). I had a lot of fun and I experienced the "booty dance". It was awesome. It was like a dream to be with celebrities!!!!!! These two days (Thursday and Friday ) were great. 

Saturday, the 11th, we had a beach party at Big Talbot Island with the other exchange students, Jane, Anna, Teresa, Stefan, Agathe, Diogo and their families. It was fun to be together... Thank you Rob! 

In school, the 13th, was the beginning of the Spirit Week (homecoming). It was a fun week. It's really different from France because we don't have a week where people go to school with pajamas or dress up like catholic school girls. Why we don't have that in my country??? It's not fair .... School is so much fun here! 

The 16th, I went flying with Rob and an other member of my club. I flew the plane...it was awesome !! I was so proud of myself (Rob, don't say anything! be quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) 

And Friday, the 17th, we had the homecoming parade in school with all the clubs. I marched with the French club all around the school for almost one hour! Even if it was hot and my foot hurt me because I wore high shoes, I had a wonderful time with my friends. 

Saturday was the homecoming dance for Paxon. Five boys invited me but I refused because I didn't want to go with a date (it's too official!). So. I went with my host sister Steph, her friend Ruth, and a friend of mine, Jamee. First, we went out to eat in an Italian restaurant and then we went to the dance at Alltel Stadium. 30 minutes after I arrived there, I saw Jane.... I couldn't believe that she was there...I was so happy!!! I had a wonderful evening! I introduced her to my friends. 

The last weekend of October, I went to see "Riverdance", an Irish dance group. I liked it so much. I love dancing so it was great to see them! And Irish music is so beautiful. I had a party for Halloween in Ania's home. It was really fun. We played Halloween games and we ate a lot (tacos, candies, French cheese (good cheese!!)) We made candied apples too. I dressed up like a Hawaiian girl (I looked like so funny ! ) And on Friday (the 7th), I went to Orlando after school... The evening we went to a murder mystery dinner theater ... I really liked the play .. it was so funny! Saturday, we went to Universal Studios ..I loved it!!!!!!!!!

I'm pretty sure that I wrote too much but it's my personality. When I begin to write, it's like when I begin to speak......I never stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The last thing that I want to say is that becoming an exchange student is the best decision that I made in my life. I have learned more things in 3 months here than in one year in France! 

Since I have been here, I am living my dream, thanks to my host family (they are so great with me), thanks to the Rotary district 6970, my rotary club of West Jacksonville.... So thank you everybody!!! I also want to say thank you to my Rotary in France (district 1740) and to my club (Millau) Thank you mum and dad, to help me to realize my dream and to support me!! I love you so much! And I want to say to my friends in France that I love them (Audrey, Marina, Marwa, Elodie, Julie, Lizou, Mathieu..) And thank you to my friends in the USA who are so nice with me and who welcome me so well!!!

I love ya guys!!!! 

Gros Bisous

(More pictures! Click each to enlarge.)

January 1 Journal

Hello !!

I didn't write for a long time but I had so many things to do ....First I want to say "Happy New Year". I hope that everybody spent great holidays!

The end of November and the month of December have been full months. I did a lot of things, I was really busy. It's because there were Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year...But I love to be busy!! I spent Thanksgiving with Rob and his family. We went in Orlando for a week. I had a great time. They are so nice with him. So during this week, the Monday, 24th, I went in Islands of Adventure (I love roller coasters so ... it was awesome) and we went to dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (it's a neat place ... I loved it too). Tuesday, the 25th, we went to Holy Land, a place where they rebuilt Jerusalem. Wednesday, we visited Kennedy Space Center. It was so interesting ...We can see how the capsule goes in the space. I find it was a great day! And Thursday, it was Thanksgiving ... The morning, we watched on the TV the Thanksgiving Parade who take place in New York and I went back to sleep. At the beginning of the afternoon, Brianna (the daughter of Rob's wife) and me went to get a tan around the swimming pool. We laid out for 3 hours, then we went to dinner at Medieval Times. The show was great... and the meal was good even if we had to eat with our fingers (remember there were not knives and forks in the past ). 

The 28th (Friday), we spent the day in Universal Studios. It was the second time for me but I still love it so much. Then, Saturday, we returned at Universal Studios. In reality, we spent the day in Universal and also in Islands of Adventure. It was fun even if it was cold. We spent a part of the day, drinking hot chocolate (only problem: I burnt my tongue !!!). And Sunday, we came back in Jacksonville . 

Oh I forget!!! The Friday before the week of Thanksgiving, I went to the play of my school with Rob and Kate . We went "in style" ( you don't know what it is ???)... It means that he drove me there in his Rolls Royce (I love this car!!!!!!!) Thank you so much to the Overly family for this wonderful week...

And the exciting event of the beginning of December was the Disney World trip.... it was awesome !!!!!!!! I never had so much fun. It began Thursday when we met Al and his wife Sue at Ramada Inn. There were 2 cars: Al's car with Jane, Agathe and Luise and Sue's car with Stefan, Rebecca and me. After 2 hours and 15 minutes, we arrived at our hotel "All Stars Sports". We were really excited even if the other exchange students were not there yet. We went in our room but 5 minutes later, all the girls (Agathe, Louise, Jane ) came in my room, where we began to sing, to talk... We were just crazy. Around 7:45pm, we met all the other exchange students at the restaurant of the hotel. We were so happy to meet each other again. Then, at 8.00pm, we went to the meeting with 2 other districts, which took place around the swimming pool. The chaperones explained to us the program of Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then, we introduced ourselves. 

Then, we talked all together and we decided to go to Downtown Disney. So around, 10.30pm, we went to Disney...all in the same bus singing in our own languages.. poor bus driver !!! 

We came back around 1am. Until 3am, I talked with the girls in my room. Normally, at the beginning, the 3 districts was mixed up in the same room but the girls who was in my room and the 2 girls who was in Agathe and Andy's room wanted to sleep together. Agathou, Andy, Kaew and me slept in the same room. Friday morning, we had to get up at 5.30am because we had to leave at 6.30 to be at the entrance of Magic Kingdom at 7am. We just slept 2 hours and 30 minutes but we were so excited that it was not a big deal ! So between 7am and 9.30am, we had a special program. We went on the backstage of Magic Kingdom and learnt how some attractions work. For example, we went in Space Mountain twice, one with the lights on (it was not scary at all ) and once with the lights off (it was so much better). We had a good time, it was interesting. 

Then, we went by ourselves in the park. We ride many attractions and did some shopping. Later after 3.00, the parade began with most of the Disney's characters. I loved it ... it was so cute! 

We had to meet the rest of the group at 3.30pm in front of the Castle of "Sleeping beauty" but unfortunately the parade was not over. So some of the exchange students and me decided to stay longer and around 3.45pm, we went in front of the castle where they were taking pictures. We continue to take picture for more than 20 minutes !!! 

Then we came back at the hotel around 4.45pm. We went to our room we slept a little and we prepared for the pizza party at 6pm. 

They gave us Disney T-shirt and after eating we decided to go to Pleasure Island. Unfortunately, we missed the group because we were not ready on time (I was not .. but I was not the only to do not be ready!!). So around 8.30pm, we ride the bus in direction of Pleasure Island. But the bus didn't stop at the right place so we had to run to go to the other side of the park. We were lucky because the group and the chaperones were still at the entrance of Pleasure Island. 

We had a great time in the club, and we danced "booty dance"... it was awesome! Then we came back at the hotel around midnight... We talked around the pool and we went to bed. Saturday, we woke up at the time that we wanted. Most of us woke up around 9.00am. We spent the morning in Animal Kingdom and the afternoon in Epcot . In Animal Kingdom we ride a water attraction...it was not a really good idea because it was very cold and after riding we were entirely wet.....But it was a lot of fun !! We also were volunteers for a performance ...we danced on African music... it was really funny !! 

After, we moved to Epcot ... this is a great park ... I loved mission space .. We also went in the different countries represented ..... France is there !!! Agathe, Pauline and me were really happy to be there~!! 

Then, we went to see the fireworks until 10.30...it was the most beautiful fireworks that I've never seen. After, we went to the hotel and we stayed a few hours in the room of an exchange student...we talked and watched TV. 

Sunday (last day), we woke up at 8.30am, to get ready and to pack our stuff . Around 9.30am, with all our suitcases we were in the hall of the hotel. We went to take our breakfast and put the bags in the car. Around 10.30, we were ready to go to MGM for our last hours spent together. We did the best rides and we saw the best shows thanks to Diogo(!!!) 

3pm was the time to say "Goodbye "... we were really sad even if we knew that we were going to meet each other very soon .

Friday, the 8th, I had my first concert with my chorus class at the Ritz Theater. It was awesome .... I love singing!)

A few days before Christmas, I went to St Augustine with my friends from school ( Diana, Eriola, Diana's cousin and one of her friend). We went there to see the "night of the light" ...It's really pretty and I had a lot of fun ... And I ate really good fudge. I also had a Christmas at my friend's house (Aimée)...it was fun! In school, just before the holidays, my friends brought me presents for Christmas ... I found that it was really nice .

Christmas, in the United States is more celebrated than in France ... here Christmas begin after Thanksgiving !!! I really enjoyed my first Christmas here .... It was a lot of fun !! I had a lot of presents for Christmas from my two host sisters, my host parents and my host grandparents and also from my parents. I love the Christmas spirit in America ....

During the holidays, I also went to do shopping, and to eat in a restaurant and also to see a movie with Diana (she is so sweet). I spent the night at her house ... we had a lot of fun and we didn't sleep a lot !!!

The 31st of December, I went shopping at the "Avenues" with Ania, Agathe, Logan, Zorbey and Jens ...Then we went to the beach... and to Ania's house for the party ... 

Rebecca and two boys from New Zealand stayed with us for the party ... We watched movies and listened to music ...we had a lot of fun ... We went to sleep at 4.30am ... 

The 1st, we got up at 10am and at 11am we went to take the breakfast (it was so good)... a real American breakfast .... Then around 12.30 Zorbey, Jens, Logan and Agathe left because they had to come back in their houses. But Ania, Rebecca and me went on the beach and we met our two friends from New Zealand ... we talked with them for a while and then we went in their houses with their families. I had a wonderful new year !!!

Thank you to everybody and thank you to my Rotary Club because it's thanks to them that I went to Disney .... Happy New Year !!!

I luv ya

Feburary 28 Journal

Hi everybody!!!

This two last months were really busy months. First at the beginning of January, I changed of host family. I went to live with Rob's family. The third week end of January, we had the interviews weekend at Mandarin H.S.

The Friday night before the interviews we went at Al's house for a pizza party with the other exchange students. I had a good weekend.

The first of February, my half sister gave birth to a little boy called Thomas. So I am an aunt for the second time .... it makes me very happy.

Also the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, we all went down to the Keys.... It was a lot of fun ... The trip was very long but we were really excited so we sang a lot in the van .... we were very happy and also loud. and I think Diogo, Agathe, Rebecca, and Jane love the way how Ania and me sing .... we have very pretty voices!!!!!!!!!!!! lol Anyway we had a great weekend down there... we did a lot of things ... we went snorkeling and learn about the maritime life ... that was great.... that was one of the best weekend of my life ...

I also enjoyed Key West a lot.

And 4 days after, I went down to Fort Lauderdale with Ania and her second family. The weather was really good too and we swam a lot at the hotel.

Only hard point: me and Ania spent 11 hours in the mall ...............the first 5 hours was fun but after we get very tired and we couldn't even walk so we wait for along time in this mall which is so huge! But it was something that we will always remember!

After this 2 days in Fort Lauderdale, we came back to Jacksonville and I spent 2 days at my friend's house Aimee.

Last Saturday I went swing dancing with my host sister but I didn't really like it .... but I had friends so it was not too bad. Last Saturday I went to see "Euro trip" with the other exchange students .... It was a very funny movie who speak a lot about sex. Then, we all went to eat together. We were 15.

Last Sunday, I also changed of host family. They are really nice , they have a son who is 18.

Emma